'Sosinp'a' Geum Tae-seop Ultimately Not Nominated... Jin Joong-kwon "The Harm of Pro-Moon Fandom Politics"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] In the Democratic Party's Gangseo Gap primary, incumbent lawmaker Geum Tae-seop was not nominated, and the controversy over the 'pro-Moon Jae-in nomination' is expected to continue. Geum, who was known as a 'principled faction' for his outspoken criticism during the 'Cho Kuk incident' and the establishment of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit, is now analyzed to have fallen out of favor with the 'pro-Moon forces.'

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized on his Facebook on the morning of the 13th, the day after the Democratic Party's 7th primary announcement, saying, "The Democratic Party has gone crazy. They are determined to cut off Geum Tae-seop's head. This is the harm of pro-Moon fandom politics." He also posted a piece of writing from former Democratic Party deputy spokesperson Kang Seon-woo, who he called "one of Cho Kuk's kids," which Kang had shared when announcing her candidacy. According to this writing, Kang stated, "When the party's decision is made, it is the attitude of a party member to follow it, but Geum's consistent stance was 'Cho Kuk versus anti-Cho Kuk.'"

Gangseo Gap has been a hotbed of the 'Cho Kuk internal conflict' controversy throughout this nomination process. Former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju declared his intention to run, saying he would "catch Geum Tae-seop," and when Jeong was disqualified due to the 'Me Too controversy,' the Democratic Party held an additional recruitment. During this process, lawyer Kim Nam-guk, who authored the 'Cho Kuk White Paper,' applied for nomination through the additional recruitment, intensifying the 'Cho Kuk defense frame' controversy. As the controversy grew, the Democratic Party strategically nominated Kim to Ansan Danwon, and former deputy spokesperson Kang faced Geum in the primary.

The Democratic Party stated that the primary result in Gangseo Gap was decided based on a poll conducted with 50% party members and 50% local residents. However, Choi Un-yeol, chairman of the Democratic Party Central Election Commission, avoided a direct answer during a briefing immediately after the primary result announcement, saying, "The public opinion that (Geum should be judged) may be crazy or may not be, so it is difficult to say precisely."

Geum expressed his acceptance of the primary result. In a post on his Facebook that morning, he said, "Many people helped me as if it were their own matter, but I lost in the primary because I was lacking," adding, "The dream of re-election has disappeared, but I will do my best during the remaining term." He also added, "Looking back, the experience of working as a representative of the people and as a Democratic Party lawmaker for the past four years was an honor that cannot be exchanged for anything."

Meanwhile, in the 7th primary, former Gangwon Governor Lee Kwang-jae, classified as 'pro-Roh,' secured the nomination in Wonju Gap, Gangwon. Former Ulsan Police Chief Hwang Un-ha, who was indicted without detention on charges related to the Blue House's alleged interference in the Ulsan mayoral election, also secured the nomination by defeating former Blue House Civil Affairs Secretary Jeon Byung-duk and former local committee chairman Song Haeng-su.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.